CREATE FOR THE WORLD YOU WANT TO INHABIT

A question came my way via Substack Notes (sorry, I lost the link):

I love the idea of working “personal.” From a songwriting lens it’s always been a rule that too personal then others can’t relate. However, with so much content now and like Mr. Banhazl said “the democratization” makes content, whatever form, music being mine, makes it all seem so generic and muddied together? What’s your take?

Here’s my thoughts:

• Rules are meant to be broken
• Don’t make content
• Don’t make generic music (everyone else can do that)
• Every major artist that you know about started out with one fan, then three, then five… no shortcuts.
• Make the music that rings true for you.
• Don’t force yourself into tiny boxes.
• You can be at least one person’s favorite artist.

The allure is real, the possibility that you can post a song and “everyone” loves it. But this happens very rarely, so don’t stake your career on it. As Seth Godin says,

The goal of reaching the masses is rarely compatible with the math of the long tail. Someone is going to win that lottery, but it probably won’t be us.”

For some people, the mass produced, hyper targeted, synthetically created music is good enough. You’re probably not looking to be in that world, so create for the world you want to inhabit.